Iranian 'Nimitz' (the 'Target Barge')

[TomS]

Looking at that picture and some of the scaling objects (door openings in that enclosure around the island, for example), I think 2/3 the size of a Nimitz is generous. And you can see that it's basically floated on cylindrical pontoons. Yep, definitely a prop for something.

 

[Eagle2009]

ALCON,


Official Iranian sources have given two explanations for this mock-up carrier.


The first explanation stated it was a large movie prop for an upcoming movie about the naval engagements between Iran and the US (and the tragic shootdown of Iran Air Flight 655).


Then, just in the last few days the MoD confirmed that is meant for military training purposes (though its exact use was not stated). Now, given the aircraft mock-ups on the deck, its hard telling one way or another but it can be said with certainly that is and never was meant to be a functional vessel.


Also, this has been known to Iranian military enthusiasts for quite a while..

 

[quellish]

I sense a competition....


http://www.carnewschina.com/2013/11/28/china-built-a-concrete-copy-of-the-uss-nimitz-aircraft-carrier-and-never-used-it-for-anything/

 

[kaiserbill]

;D

The lineup on the left look like F-18 mock-ups for sure, but the aircraft lineup on the left look like Gripen or F-5's....

Difficult to tell though.

 

[RP1]

"Iran has been building replicas of US warships for years - to practice blowing them up - a top Iranian admiral has reportedly said."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27292180


RP1

 

[jstar]

And blow it up they did.....


http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nbc-news/iranians-blow-up-replica-u-s-aircraft-carrier-404050499963

 

[Triton]

Published on Feb 25, 2015

IRGC Surface-to-Surface Missiles Destroy Mock Aircraft Carrier during Wargames in Persian Gulf

The IRGC Navy started the massive Payambar-e Azam 9 wargames in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. During the wargames, IRGC missiles destroyed a mock aircraft carrier.

http://youtu.be/6rQ5NqaaERQ

 

[sferrin]

That's a lot of work for history's saddest propaganda effort. ;D

 

[Grey Havoc]

I know that the IRGC controls the navy for all intents and purposes, and that the Revolutionary Guards aren't exactly renowned for their rationality in general, but this is ridiculous to put it mildly.

 

[covert_shores]

I don't think that they control the Navy (IRN) but these boats are their own navy (IRGC-N). They have all boats like these, plus a few novelty assets. Their only real waterborne assets are the gadhir midget subs.


I wonder whether the IRGC is doing its best to ensure that there is no thawing of relations with US

 

[fightingirish]

Iran’s aircraft carrier mockup wasn’t destroyed during Exercise Great Prophet IX and has been towed back to Bander Abbas. Source: bellingcat.com - Iran’s Mock-up Aircraft Carrier Returns to Bandar Abbas